Controversial Liquor Store Had 80 Violations

A liquor store with troubles dating back nearly a quarter-century had 80 violations this year, an investigating police detective told the City Council Tuesday.

Naicken Inc., trading as Arlington Liquors/Clinton Deli & Grocery is slated for non-renewal of the owner's liquor license for the 2014-2015 term. The city has 33 liquor establishments and the council acts as the local Alcoholic Beverage Control board, granting or denying renewal each year. Eighteen licenses are up for renewal at the June 16 council meeting where owner Vadrajan Naicken faces non-renewal. Fourteen more have unresolved issues such as non-payment of state and local fees or failure to pass reviews by the Police, Fire or Inspections Divisions.

Naicken was denied license renewal last year, but appealed to the state ABC board and a decision is pending. Council President Bridget Rivers, who along with Councilman William Reid and Councilwoman Vera Greaves defended him last year, wanted to wait for the outcome. Councilwoman Gloria Taylor sought more information Tuesday, but Councilman Cory Storch asked whether there was "any downside" to passing the resolution for non-renewal. Acting Corporation Counsel John Motta said, "This is current."

"In this current year, we still have some issues," Detective Nuno Carvalho said, noting drug activity and weapons among causes for 80 violations thus far for the year.

By contrast, a nearby bar where liquor is consumed had "only 37 incidents," he said.

Carvalho said there is a "dollar figure" related to police response for the high volume of incidents.

"I recommend we go ahead," Storch said.

The "Arlington Liquors" part of the name relates to Naicken's former store on Arlington Avenue, which, according to news clips, drew complaints as far back as 1990 about loitering and drug activity. But even then, Naicken had supporters in City Council President Helen Miller and Planning Board member Rose Walker, both now deceased, who defended him at a council meeting that year.

The problems at that location ended when the city paid Naicken $90,000 for his store and $30,000 in relocation funds because of a redevelopment plan for the area. The city also paid attorney Michele Donato $5,000 for legal costs associated with the relocation. Resident Nancy Piwowar suggested at the time that the city should buy Naicken's license, but that did not happen due to concerns over the possible cost.

Naicken eventually relocated to West Front Street near Clinton Avenue, but problems continued. He only won license renewal in 2011 with requirements that he install multiple security cameras and hire armed guards. But when the 2012-2013 renewal period came up, police reported 254 calls to the premises in the 2011-12 term for incidents including sale of alcohol to minors, drug possession, fights, assaults, weapons offenses and sale of loose cigarettes. The most disturbing report to city officials and police was that drugs were found on several occasions “beneath the ice cream freezer” within the store, where ice cream and candy were sold to children.

--Bernice